- June 24, 2025
- 12:41 am
- Ukraine
On the night of 20 June 2025, Russian-Iranian Shahed-type attack drones struck Odesa (Ukraine): residential buildings, a university, recreational facilities and the area that houses the Jewish children’s home “Mishpakha” were damaged. The children were miraculously saved — NAnews presents a news overview with details and the impact on the Jewish community.
Just 20 minutes — and the city was ablaze
The night of 19 to 20 June 2025. At 00:52 an air-raid alarm sounded in Odesa Oblast. It lasted only until 01:13, yet in that short time Russian attack UAVs delivered devastating blows to the peaceful city.
Explosions rocked several districts, including near the Habad Jewish children’s home “Mishpakha”, where the children were asleep. Thanks to a reinforced basement shelter where they were taken in the first minutes of the alarm, all residents survived.
“The siren woke us up and heavy bangs followed immediately,” one caregiver recalls. “We evacuated everyone downstairs, as we have done many times before. But this time the blast was especially close.”
A heavy-warhead missile detonated in close proximity to the Habad children’s home in Odesa, founded by Habad emissary Rabbi Avraham Wolf — Chief Rabbi of Odesa and Southern Ukraine — causing serious material damage.
“The axis of evil continues trying to strike defenceless civilians — not only at Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva, but also in Ukraine,” wrote המחדש (“ha-Meḥadesh”, “The Update”) on 22 June 2025.
It is one of Israel’s largest ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) news portals. The site brands itself as “kosher”, meaning that articles, images and advertising undergo in-house moderation to meet religious standards.
“Thank G-d, another great miracle happened in Odesa last night, similar to the miracles we have recently seen in the Holy Land — all thanks to following instructions.
We are certain that very soon good will completely defeat darkness — with true and complete redemption,” said the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine (FJCU), which has overseen the country’s communities since its founding in the 1990s.
What was damaged: data from city hall and first responders
According to Odesa Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov and Regional Governor Oleh Kiper, the attack damaged:
- multi-storey residential buildings,
- a university building,
- a gas pipeline,
- private vehicles,
- recreational facilities on the seafront,
- infrastructure on Seminarska Street, where the children’s home is located.
One drone sparked a major fire that destroyed a four-storey residential block. Floors and walls collapsed — people may be trapped under the rubble, the mayor warned.
The blast near “Mishpakha” — a wake-up call for the entire diaspora
The “Mishpakha” Jewish children’s home is the oldest Habad institution in Odesa. Located at 7/9 Seminarska St., it houses children from nine months old around the clock. An inclusive centre for youngsters with special needs also operates here.
“It’s a miracle. The missile landed literally against the wall. We were saved only because Ukrainians know to heed the sirens and act. Israel faces the same reality,” the community said.
“This is the same war as in Israel — truly the same terror, the same axis of evil that stands against peace and the hope for life.
Just as the Iranians try to kill Israeli civilians, here in Ukraine, the Russians try to strike civilians around the clock.
The people may differ, but the goals and methods are the same.”
Statistics and consequences
| Indicator | Status |
|---|---|
| Alarm duration | 00:52 – 01:13 (21 minutes) |
| Number of buildings damaged | Dozens |
| Severely damaged | 4-storey residential building |
| Injured and wounded | Reported (being clarified) |
| Fires | Multiple |
| Affected sites | “Mishpakha” home, university, gas pipeline |
On the Odesa coastline, the crash of one of the drones caused a fire. The blast wave damaged beach and sports facilities, including popular recreation spots for locals.
This is the same terror as in Israel
NAnews – Israel News continues monitoring the situation, showing how developments in Ukraine affect both Jewish identity and Israeli security. Central to the story are the fates of communities, mutual assistance, and solidarity amid terror.
A challenge for Ukraine, a concern for Israel
- How long will children’s homes and educational institutions remain targets?
- Will Israel respond more firmly to threats against Jewish sites abroad?
- What lessons can Israel’s civil defense teach Ukraine?
These questions are already being answered — in part — by the actions of volunteers, rabbis, and journalists.
Russia and Iran: one “school of terrorism”
Experts from the defense sectors of Ukraine and Israel emphasize: Putin’s Russia and the Iranian regime use identical intimidation tactics — targeting civilians with kamikaze drones and heavy-warhead missiles. These methods aim not at military gains, but at breaking infrastructure and morale.
A shared signature of attacks
- Nighttime assaults — carried out when people are most vulnerable. In Odesa, sirens went off at 00:52, while in Israel similar raids often happen in the early morning hours.
- Use of Shahed-136/131 drones — Iranian-made Shaheds are officially supplied to Moscow and deployed against Ukraine; these same drones or their modifications target Tel Aviv, Haifa, and the Galilee.
- Targeted strikes on the social sector: schools, kindergartens, hospitals, power stations, and water/gas supply infrastructure — everything critical for civilian survival.
Shared goal: fear and chaos
The tactic of “blinding” air defense and swarm drone raids has been tested by Iran in the Middle East and mirrored by its ally Russia in Ukraine. NAnews – Israel News has repeatedly noted that for Jewish communities in both countries, this means constant evacuation readiness and reinforced shelters in synagogues, schools, and children’s homes.
“Russia and Iran may differ ideologically, but they are identical in method: terrorizing civilians to achieve political aims.”
Recognizing this parallel strengthens Israel–Ukraine cooperation in air defense, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian relief. The faster the global community deprives this terrorist tandem of funding and technology, the fewer tragedies we’ll see — from Odesa to Tel Aviv.
Conclusion: a miracle is not a strategy
The overnight strike on Odesa proves again: a miracle should not substitute systematic protection. Israel and Ukraine are different countries, but united in the realization that drones and missiles pose the same threat to children, homes, and life itself.
NAnews – Israel News will continue to report the truth about terror against civilians — in Ukraine, in Israel, and worldwide.
